MORE than 400 people are to be trained as health visitors across the north west after student numbers dramatically fell in recent years.

The NHS is looking for qualified nurses, midwifes and student nurses expecting to gain Nursing and Midwifery Council registration this year to start training this month.

The move is part of a national recruitment drive to find an extra 4,200 health visitors across the country who will help improve the well being of children and families by 2015.

Jane Cummings, deputy chief executive at NHS North West, said: “We want to give the next generation the best start in life to keep them healthy, happy and safe now and as they grow older. To do this we need to lots more health visitors working across the north west.

“We are already making great progress with more than 400 due to complete their training in September 2012 but more are needed and quickly.

“This is why we are actively encouraging anyone who used to be a health visitor to bring their wealth of experience back to the profession.”

The role of health visitors is to ensure a healthy start for children and to give advice and support to new mothers about immunisations, breastfeeding, diet and health development checks.

Trainee health visitors gain a fully funded degree in one year or two years part-time and receive a bursary while training.

More information can be found at northwest.nhs.uk.